Platform bird feeder with an adjustable wobbling baffle

ABSTRACT

A platform bird feeder is provided including a base platform with a seed tray, a baffle and a center pole having a bottom end connected the tray, the baffle being tiltably and adjustably mounted to the pole above the base. Preferably, the seed tray has a seed protecting grate to hinder squirrels from accessing the seed in the tray. The height of the baffle above the seed tray may be adjusted up and down to allow the user to increase and decrease the seed access space, respectively, between the baffle and the tray. When the baffle is at a desired height, it is secured in place by an adjustable securing mechanism that, while holding the baffle at the desired height, allows the baffle to tilt or wobble when sufficient weight is placed on one side of the baffle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to the field of wild bird care andfeeding and, more particularly, to an improved bird feeder having abaffle, the height of which may be adjusted by the user and that is ableto tilt when sufficient weight is placed on one side thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

Feeding wild birds is a popular activity for many people. Platform birdfeeders are useful and versatile feeders that are attractive to a widevariety of birds ranging from small to large in size. Larger birds candeter smaller birds from perching and eating from the platform feeders.Squirrels are also a problem as they are quite attracted to the platformand sit thereon while eating, effectively monopolizing the feeder.

Accordingly, a need exists for a platform bird feeder that has anadjustable and tiltable baffle to prevent larger birds and squirrelsfrom gaining easy access to the bird seed in the feeder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, the present invention is directed to aplatform bird feeder having a seed tray, a baffle and a center pole thatsuspends the tray and supports the baffle above the tray. Preferably,the seed tray has a seed protecting grate to hinder squirrels fromaccessing the seed commonly placed in platform feeder trays. In itspreferred shape, the seed tray and baffle are generally circular, andthe baffle is dome-shaped.

The height of the baffle above the seed tray may be adjusted up and downto allow the user to increase and decrease the seed access space,respectively, between the baffle and the tray. When the baffle is at adesired height, it is secured in place by a locking bolt on top of thebaffle that passes through an aperture in the center of the baffle, anda locking nut and spring on the underside of the baffle. The boltincludes a longitudinal bore through which the pole passes, and at leastone relief cut that allows the bolt to pinch the pole when the lockingnut is tightened, securing the bolt, and thereby the baffle, at thedesired height.

The threaded part of the bolt extending through the baffle aperture isreceived within the center of the spring and into the locking nut. Asthe locking nut is tightened, the spring, which is positioned on thelocking nut, around the locking bolt and underneath the baffle, iscompressed and the baffle is thereby supported on top of the spring.When sufficient weight is placed on one side of the baffle, the springis further compressed on that side, allowing the baffle to wobble andpivot to a tilted position.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aplatform bird feeder with an adjustable, wobbling baffle that hindersthe access of large birds and/or squirrels to seed on the platform.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a platform birdfeeder with adjustable baffle in accordance with the preceding objectthat has a center pole for suspending the platform, the baffle beingmovable up and down on the center pole and then secured by the user at adesired height above the platform.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a platform birdfeeder with adjustable baffle in accordance with the preceding objectsin which the baffle is secured with a locking bolt on top of the baffleand a locking nut and spring on the underside of the baffle, the bolthaving at least one relief cut enabling the bolt to pinch onto the polewhen the nut is tightened.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a platformbird feeder with adjustable baffle in accordance with the precedingobjects in which tightening of the nut compresses the spring against thebaffle so that the baffle is supported on top of the spring, the springenabling the baffle to tilt when sufficient weight is applied on oneside of the baffle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a platform birdfeeder with adjustable baffle in accordance with the preceding objectsthat includes a base platform having a generally flat seed tray andupwardly directed rim for holding the seed, the top of the tray beingcovered with a grate to protect the seed from squirrels.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a platformbird feeder with adjustable baffle in accordance with the precedingobjects in which the center pole includes a hook at the top for hangingthe feeder on a support element.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a platformbird feeder with adjustable baffle in accordance with the precedingobjects that is not complex in structure and which can be manufacturedat low cost and that effectively deters large birds and squirrels fromgaining access to the seed.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a platform bird feeder with adjustable baffleas assembled in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the platform bird feeder shown in FIG. 1 withthe locking nut unlocked from the locking bolt to release the springtension against the baffle.

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective exploded view of the components of theplatform bird feeder with adjustable baffle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4A is an upper side perspective view of the base platform for theplatform bird feeder shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the base platform for the platform bird feedershown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a top view of the base platform for the platform bird feedershown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 4D is an enlargement of Detail A of FIG. 4C.

FIG. 5A is an upper side perspective view of the grate for the platformbird feeder shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the grate shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a top view of the grate shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

FIG. 5D is an enlargement of Detail A of FIG. 5C.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the center pole for the platform bird feedershown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 7A is an upper side perspective view of the baffle for the platformbird feeder shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 7B is a top view of the baffle shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a bottom view of the baffle shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIG. 7D is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 7C.

FIG. 7E is an enlargement of Detail B of FIG. 7D.

FIG. 8A is an upper perspective view of the locking bolt for theplatform bird feeder shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the bolt shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a top view of the bolt shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 8D is an enlargement of Detail A of FIG. 8C.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the spring for the platform bird feeder shownin FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 10A is an upper side perspective view of the locking nut for theplatform bird feeder shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 10B is a side view of the locking nut shown in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a top view of the locking nut shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIG. 10D is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 10C.

FIG. 10E is an enlargement of Detail B of FIG. 10D.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the assembled feeder shown in FIG. 1 when thebaffle is tilted in response to the application of force on one side ofthe baffle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although only one preferred embodiment of the invention is explained indetail, it is to be understood that the embodiment is given by way ofillustration only. It is not intended that the invention be limited inits scope to the details of construction and arrangement of componentsset forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.Also, in describing the preferred embodiment and alternate structure,specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It isto be understood that each specific term includes all technicalequivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similarpurpose.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention is directed to a platformbird feeder with adjustable baffle generally designated by referencenumeral 10. The feeder 10 includes a base platform generally designatedby reference numeral 12, a center pole generally designated by referencenumeral 14, and a baffle generally designated by reference numeral 16.The baffle is adjustably secured to the center pole 14 using anadjustable securing mechanism generally designated by reference numeral18. In the embodiment shown, the adjustable securing mechanism 18includes a locking bolt 20, a locking nut 22 and a spring 24. As can beseen in FIG. 3, the feeder 10 also includes a mesh grate 26 fitted inthe base platform 12 to block squirrels from accessing seed held in theplatform.

As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, the base platform 12 is generallycircular with a substantially flat seed tray 28 and upwardly directedbase rim 30. The rim includes an upper edge 32 and a stepped edge or lip34 that provides an annular ledge 36 for supporting the mesh grate 26.The seed tray 28 is provided with small apertures 38 to allow fordrainage of water. The center of the seed tray 28 has an upwardlyprojecting pole mounting boss 40 that preferably includes an internallythreaded central aperture 42 to engage the external threads 60 on thebottom end 58 of the center pole 14. The boss is hollow such that thebottom of the base platform has a cylindrical recess (not shown)corresponding in size to the boss. Alternatively, a hex nut 41 may bewelded inside the recess so that the center of the nut 41 is inalignment with the central aperture 42. In this alternate configuration,the threaded end of the center pole goes through the central aperture,which may not be threaded, and is threadedly engaged with the innerthreads on the nut 41 that is welded in the recess on the bottom of thebase platform. It is preferred, however, to have internal threads withinthe central aperture 42 so that the nut 41 is not necessary. The baseplatform 12 is preferably made of metal although other materials such ashard plastic and the like could be used.

Rather than relying on the annular ledge 36, the rim 30 of the seed tray28 may be provided with at least one inwardly directed flange 29; in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, four flanges 29 are provided spacedaround the circumference of the rim. FIG. 4D shows detail A from FIG. 4Cdepicting one of the flanges. If the spaced flanges 29 are provided, theflanges 29 support the grate on the base platform in a manner similar tothe way in which the annular ledge 36 supports the grate in a seed traythat does not have the flanges.

FIGS. 5A-5D are various views of the mesh grate generally designated byreference numeral 26 that is shown in FIG. 3. The grate 26 includes acircular rim 46 that is supported on the ledge 36 formed by the rim lip34 of the base rim 30 when the grate is secured to the base platform 12.The grate 26 includes a central aperture 48 that aligns with the centralaperture 42 in the pole mounting boss 40 to receive and position thecenter pole 14. The body of the grate 26 includes a plurality ofoverlapping strands 50 that form generally square openings 52. Thestrands 50 could overlap at other angles to form openings of othershapes as would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.As with the base platform 12, the grate 26 is preferably made of metalalthough other materials such as hard plastic and the like could beused.

The center pole 14 is illustrated in FIG. 6. As shown, the pole includesan elongated straight portion 54 and a hooked end 56. The bottom end 58of the straight portion 54 is provided with threads 60 for engagementwith the mounting boss 40 in the tray 28 of the base platform 12. Beforethreading the pole into the boss, a nut 55 is screwed onto the threads60. The nut 55 serves to lock and stabilize the grate 26 and the centerpole 14 when the pole 14 is fully screwed into the boss. The hooked end56 is shown as semi-circular, but other shapes or angles could be usedas would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.

FIGS. 7A-7D show various views of the dome-shaped baffle 16 whichincludes a central aperture 62 that receives the center pole 14. Theunderside 64 of the baffle is concave as can be seen in FIG. 7D andincludes a circular ridge 66 around the central aperture 62 as best seenin the FIG. 7E enlarged view. The inner diameter of the spring 24 islarger than the outer diameter 68 of the ridge 66 so that the top of thespring 24 fits over the ridge 66 and is seated against the underside 64of the baffle 15 around the ridge 66 when the feeder 10 is assembled.

FIGS. 8A-8C depict various views of the locking bolt 20 which includes ahead generally designated by reference numeral 70 and a shaft generallydesignated by reference numeral 72. The bolt 20 has a longitudinal bore74 through both the head 70 and the shaft 72 for receiving the centerpole 14. The diameter of the bottom 76 of the head 20 is larger than thediameter of the top 78 of the shaft 72 so that the lower edge of thehead forms a radially extending seating surface 80. The diameter of thehead 20 is also greater than the diameter of the central aperture 62 ofthe baffle 16. As a result, the seating surface 80 is in abutment withthe top 82 of the baffle around the central aperture 62 when the feeder10 is assembled.

In the embodiment shown, the head 20 has a generally dome shaped top 84and ribbed sides 86. The ribbed sides 86 assist the user in holding thehead 20 to prevent rotation when tightening the locking nut 22 on thebolt shaft 72. As best seen in FIG. 8D, the ribs 88 are preferablyrounded which makes gripping of the bolt more comfortable for the user.

The shaft 72 of the bolt 20 has an upper portion 78 adjacent the head 20and a lower portion 90 with external threads 92. The lower portion 90has an axially extending channel formed by two relief cuts 94, one cut94 through each symmetrical side 96 of the lower portion. While tworelief cuts 94 are shown, three, four or more cuts could be made in thelower portion 90.

The relief cuts 94 enable the symmetrical sides 96 of the bolt 20 to bepinched against the pole 14 when the locking nut 22 is screwed onto thethreads 92 and tightened around the lower portion 90, locking the bolt20 in a desired position on the pole. The threads 92 are pitched toengage with corresponding threads 98 on the locking nut 22 (see FIGS.10A and 10D). The two symmetrical sides 96 at the lower portion 90 ofthe shaft 72 have a tapered end 100 with a smaller diameter than thelower portion 90. While the sides are discloses herein as symmetrical,it is also possible to have sides of different sizes by offsetting therelief cuts from the center of the shaft. The symmetrical sides arepreferred, however.

As shown in FIG. 9, the spring 24 is a coiled element or compressionspring as is known in the art. The spring 24 fits over the lower portion90 of the bolt as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The top 102 of the spring 24is seated around the ridge 66 on the underside 64 of the baffle 16 asdescribed above. The bottom 104 of the spring 24 is supported on ledge106 of the locking nut 22 as will be described hereinafter.

FIGS. 10A-10D provide various views of the locking nut, generallydesignated by reference numeral 22. The nut 22 includes a generallycylindrical neck 108 and a base generally designated by referencenumeral 110 that is concentric with, and has a larger diameter than, theneck 108. The difference in diameters creates the ledge 106 on the uppersurface 112 of the base upon which the spring 24 is seated when thefeeder is assembled.

An axial central bore generally designated by reference numeral 114extends through the base 110 and the neck 108 to accommodate the centerpole 14. The upper part 116 of the bore 114 in the neck 108 is generallycylindrical, while the lower part 118 of the bore 114 in the base 110(see FIG. 10D) is tapered inwardly. The bore upper part 116 includesinternal threads 98 for engagement with the external threads 92 on thelower portion 90 of the bolt 20. The outer wall of the neck may haveaxial ridges 91 that serve to limit sideways movement of the lower endof the spring (see FIG. 10A). Alternatively, the entire outer diameterof the neck may be made larger to achieve the same effect. The ridgesalso facilitate molding of the internal threads 98.

As noted above, the bore 118 in the base 110 of the nut 22 tapers to abottom opening 119 which has a diameter 121 smaller than the outerdiameter of the shaft 72 of the bolt 20. The tapered ends 100 of thesymmetrical sides 96 fit into the base bore 118 and are squeezedtogether by the tapering bore 118 as the nut is tightened on the bolt20. When fully tightened, the tapered ends 100 may extend through thebottom opening 119 in the nut and be visible from the bottom surface 120of the base 110.

Similarly to the head 70 of the bolt 20, the base 110 of the nut 22 hasribbed sides 122 to assist the user when tightening the nut onto thelocking bolt. As best seen in FIG. 10C, the ribs 124 are rounded whichmakes rotation of the nut more comfortable for the user while stillproviding a good gripping surface. The bottom surface 120 of the nutbase 110 is flat but could have other shapes and/or curvatures.

While the adjustable securing mechanism 18 is embodied herein as alocking bolt 20, locking nut 22 and spring 24, other mechanisms could beused to mount the baffle 16 to the pole 14 while providing for heightadjustment and the present invention is intended to include all suchmechanisms.

Also, as illustrated in the drawings and described herein, the platform12 and baffle 16 are generally circular with the baffle slightly largerto overhang the outer edge 32 of the platform. Other shapes and sizeswill occur to those skilled in the art and such alternate shapes andsizes are encompassed within the present invention. Further, othershapes for the dome-shaped baffle 16 could be used such as conical,pyramid and the like without departing from the present invention.

To assemble the feeder, the user first passes the lower portion 58 ofthe pole 14 through the aperture 74 in the locking bolt 20 starting fromthe head 70. The baffle 16 is then mounted on the pole by passing thepole 14 through aperture 62 starting from the top side 82 of the baffle.Next, the spring 24 is placed over the shaft 72 of the bolt 20, and thenthe pole 14 is passed through the bore 114 in the locking nut 22,starting from the neck 108. The nut can then be screwed onto the shaft72 of the bolt 20 until the tapered ends 100 reach the base bore 118, atwhich point the baffle is secured to the pole by the adjustable securingmechanism 18. The nut 55 is screwed onto the threads 60 at the bottomend 58 of the pole, and then the pole is inserted through the aperture48 in the grate 26. The bottom end 58 of the pole 14 is thereafterthreadedly engaged with the internal threads 42 of the boss 40. Whenfully tightened, the grate 26 and center pole 14 are held firmly againsteither the annular ledge 36 or, when provided, the flanges 29 on thebase platform 12 by the threaded connection between the pole and theboss and the locking action of nut 55.

When the feeder is assembled as shown in FIG. 1, the baffle rides on theupper end 102 of the spring 24 and is held against the center pole 14 bythe locking bolt 20 and locking nut 22 at a height chosen by the user.When the nut is fully tightened against the bolt, the spring is notfully compressed as can be seen in FIG. 1. Therefore, when weight isapplied to the top 65 of the baffle 16, the spring will further compressto allow the baffle to move downwardly until the ridge 66 on theunderside 64 of the baffle comes into abutment with the upper edge 128of the neck 108 of the nut. At the same time the spring provides fortilting movement of the baffle when force is applied to one side of thebaffle as shown in FIG. 11. The result is a wobbly baffle that preventssquirrels from remaining thereon should they attempt to land on thebaffle.

Adjusting the height of the baffle thereafter is very simple. The userhas only to loosen the nut 22 until the squeezing pressure on thesymmetrical sides 90 is released, allowing the adjustable securingmechanism 18 to slide up or down on the pole. When the desired height isreached, the user tightens the locking nut 22 onto the locking bolt 20which again squeezes the sides 90 to pinch the pole and hold theadjustable securing mechanism in place.

To disassemble the feeder, the user simply performs the assembly stepsin reverse, starting by unscrewing the bottom end 58 of the pole fromthe base platform, sliding off the grate 26, and then unscrewing the nut55. The user then unscrews the nut 22 and slides it off the lowerportion 58 of the pole 14, followed by the spring 24, the baffle 16 andthe bolt 20.

As described herein, the platform feeder of the present inventionprovides an adjustable baffle which allows the consumer to decide whatsize of bird can be fed by controlling the seed access space between thebaffle and the platform. The baffle also deters squirrels from landingon the feeder as the squirrel's weight causes the baffle to wobble,resulting in the squirrel sliding off the baffle and past the platformto the ground. The grate mounted on the base also serves to blocksquirrel access to the seed in the feeder.

The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered asillustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention maybe configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not limited by thedimensions of the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of thepresent invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art.Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specificexamples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may beresorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A platform bird feeder comprising: a center pole;a base platform connected to a bottom end of the center pole; a bafflehaving a central aperture, said baffle being spring-biased on the centerpole to provide tilting movement of the baffle relative to the centerpole when a weight is applied to the baffle off-center; and anadjustable securing mechanism for movably mounting the baffle on thecenter pole at a plurality of different heights so that a height of thebaffle on the pole relative to the base platform is adjustable by auser, said adjustable securing mechanism including a locking bolt, alocking nut and a spring, the bolt having a head and a threaded shaft,the threaded shaft passing through the aperture in the baffle and beinginserted through a center of the spring, the head of the bolt being on atop side of the baffle, the nut being secured to the threaded shaft andin abutment with the spring on an underside of the baffle, tightening ofthe nut compressing the spring against the underside of the baffle. 2.The platform bird feeder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the baseplatform includes a seed tray with an upwardly curved rim, a top edge ofthe rim having a lip that forms a ledge, the feeder further comprising agrate mounted on top of the ledge on the base platform above the tray.3. The platform bird feeder as set forth in claim 1, wherein thethreaded shaft of the bolt has at least one axially extending relief cutthat divides a lower part of the shaft into at least two sides havingtapered ends, the relief cut enabling the sides to be squeezed towardone another to pinch the pole when the nut is tightened on the shaft. 4.The platform bird feeder as set forth in claim 2, wherein the nut has anaxial bore extending through the neck and the base, an inside diameterof said bore tapering in the base, the tapered ends of said symmetricalsides being received in said tapered base bore when the feeder isassembled.
 5. The platform bird feeder as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe underside of the baffle has a ridge around the central aperture, atop end of said spring encircling the ridge.
 6. The platform bird feederas set forth in claim 1, wherein the nut has a base and a neck, the basehaving a greater outer diameter than the neck so that an upper surfaceof the base forma a ledge, a lower end of said spring being compressedagainst the ledge when the feeder is assembled.
 7. The platform birdfeeder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bottom end of the pole isthreaded, said base platform including an upwardly directed boss havinga threaded central aperture for threadedly being coupled to the bottomend of the pole.
 8. The platform bird feeder as set forth in claim 1,wherein the tightening of the nut compresses the spring directly againstthe underside of the baffle but does not fully compress said spring,said central aperture in the baffle being larger than an outer diameterof the shaft to create a gap allowing the baffle to tilt relative to thecenter pole and further compress one side of the spring when sufficientweight is applied to one site of the baffle.
 9. A platform bird feedercomprising: a center pole; a base platform connected to a bottom end ofthe center pole; a tiltable baffle having a central aperture; and anadjustable securing mechanism enabling the user to movably mount thebaffle on the pole at any desired height above the base platform, saidadjustable securing mechanism including a vertically movable heightadjustment component and a spring mounted between an underside of thebaffle and the height adjustment component, the vertically movableheight adjustment component including a squeezable member and atightening member both of which have openings to receive the pole, thesqueezable member including a locking bolt with a threaded shaft havingan axially extending relief cut that divides a lower part of the shaftinto two sides having tapered ends, the relief cut enabling the sides tobe squeezed toward one another to pinch the pole when the tighteningmember is tightened on the shaft to constrict the squeezable member sothat the squeezable member is frictionally secured at a specific heighton the pole and held there by the tightening member; and upward verticalmovement of said height adjustment component toward the baffle partiallycompressing the spring while allowing the baffle to wobble when mountedat said height, said partial compression of the spring allowing one sideof the spring to be further compressed when weight is applied to a firstside of the baffle so that the first side of the baffle tilts downwardlyrelative to the center pole while a second side of the baffle oppositethe first side tilts upwardly relative to the center pole.
 10. Theplatform bird feeder as set forth in claim 9, wherein the squeezablemember has a head with an outer diameter larger than the baffle centralaperture and a shaft, the shaft extending through the central aperturein the baffle, the tightening member being engaged with the shaft of thesqueezable member on the underside of the baffle.
 11. The platform birdfeeder as set forth in claim 9, wherein the baffle rides on an upper endof said spring, said upper end being in abutment with the underside ofthe baffle.
 12. The platform bird feeder as set forth in claim 9,wherein the tightening member includes a nut having a base and a neck,the base having a greater outer diameter than the neck so that an uppersurface of the base forms a ledge, a lower end of said spring beingcompressed against the ledge when the feeder is assembled.
 13. Theplatform bird feeder as set forth in claim 12, wherein the squeezablemember includes a locking bolt, the shaft of which is threaded, thethreaded shaft of the locking bolt having an axially extending reliefcut that divides a lower part of the shaft into two sides having taperedends, the nut having an axial bore extending through the neck and thebase, an inside diameter of said bore being smaller in the base than inthe neck, the tapered ends of said sides being received in said basebore when the feeder is assembled.